Google to stop deliberately demoting European sites

Google has modified its approach to search result rankings within the European Union, a move seen as a direct response to antitrust concerns. European regulators had identified that the search giant was deliberately demoting websites that included content from its commercial partners.

This policy adjustment is designed to preempt potential antitrust fines and ongoing scrutiny from EU authorities. The search engine's previous practice of lowering the visibility of partner-content sites had drawn the attention of regulators who viewed it as a potential violation of fair competition rules.

By changing its spam policy, Google seeks to align itself with EU regulations and demonstrate a commitment to a more equitable ranking system. The modification is expected to impact how partner content is displayed in search results across the EU, potentially affecting both Google's revenue streams and the visibility of its partners.